First Presidents Cup in Asia kicks off with opening ceremony

INCHEON, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- The opening ceremony for the 2015 Presidents Cup was held here in the western metropolitan city of Incheon Wednesday, as the biennial match play golf competition makes its first stop in Asia. President Park Geun-hye, an honorary chair of the competition, attended the ceremony held at Songdo Convensia, near the host course of the event, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea. She was joined by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and former U.S. President George W. Bush. "I hope the players will put on historic performances at this year's event," Park said. "By creating added value, golf is also playing a vital industrial role. And as it has become an Olympic sport again for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, I think there will be an even greater interest in golf." The Presidents Cup began in 1994 as a match play competition between the United States Team and the International Team, made up of non-European stars. There are 12 players per side. The first day of action will feature five foursome matches, followed by five four-ball matches on Friday. There will be foursome and four-ball sessions in the morning and afternoon on Saturday. There will be 12 singles matches on Sunday. Bae Sang-moon is the only South Korean in action, though New Zealander Danny Lee grew up in Incheon and still has many relatives here. Choi Kyoung-ju, the eight-time PGA Tour winner better known as K.J. Choi, is a non-playing vice captain for the International Team. The United States Team has won eight of the first 10 Presidents Cup so far, with a tie in 2003. The lone International victory came in 1998.